Banana Pudding Trifle
A luscious banana pudding layered with creamy filling, vanilla wafers, and fresh bananas — a beloved Southern dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s comforting, simple to assemble, and wonderfully rich. Each layer provides a perfect contrast of texture and flavour.
ingredients
ripe bananas
vanilla wafers
instant vanilla pudding mix
milk
sweetened condensed milk
cream cheese
heavy whipping cream
vanilla extract
chopped nuts (optional topping)
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
directions
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Whisk pudding mix with milk; chill.
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Beat cream cheese, condensed milk, and vanilla.
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Fold in whipped cream.
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Layer wafers, pudding mixture, and banana slices in a dish.
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Repeat layers and top with bananas and nuts.
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Chill before serving.
Servings and timing
Serves: 10
Preparation: 25 minutes
Chilling: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 25 minutes
Variations
• Use graham crackers instead of wafers.
• Add a layer of caramel sauce.
• Make individual servings in jars.
storage/reheating
Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Best served chilled.
FAQs
Can I use fresh whipped cream?
Yes, it’s preferred over store‑bought.
How ripe should bananas be?
Just ripe, not overripe.
Can I use banana pudding mix?
Yes, for extra banana flavour.
Can I freeze banana pudding?
Not recommended; texture will suffer.
Is it best made ahead?
Yes, it allows flavours to meld.
Can I add other fruit?
Sliced strawberries pair well.
How do I keep bananas from browning?
Add a little lemon juice.
Can I make it dairy‑free?
Use plant-based milk and whipped topping alternatives.
Can I skip cream cheese?
You can, but it adds richness.
What toppings go well?
Whipped cream, crushed wafers, or caramel drizzle.
Conclusion
Banana pudding trifle is a creamy, nostalgic dessert that never fails to please — rich, sweet, and wonderfully layered.
PrintBanana Pudding Trifle
Banana Pudding Trifle is a layered dessert featuring creamy vanilla pudding, fresh banana slices, and soft vanilla wafers, all topped with whipped cream — a nostalgic and crowd-pleasing Southern classic.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 (5.1 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 3/4 cups cold milk
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3–4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 (11 oz) box vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional garnish: crushed cookies, banana slices, or whipped cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Chill for 10–15 minutes.
- In another bowl, whip heavy cream with vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold whipped cream into the pudding mixture until fully incorporated.
- In a trifle dish or large glass bowl, layer vanilla wafers, banana slices, and pudding mixture. Repeat layers until the dish is full, ending with pudding on top.
- Garnish with additional whipped cream, crushed cookies, or banana slices as desired.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and cookies to soften.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm bananas to avoid browning and mushiness.
- Trifle can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge.
- For added flavor, drizzle layers with caramel or sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Individual trifles can be assembled in jars or cups for easy serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: banana pudding, banana trifle, no-bake dessert, southern dessert, layered pudding, vanilla wafers
